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When writing fantasy, many writers choose to set their novels in a fantasy world. If this is the case, you will need different fantasy races to live there. While some prefer to just stick to well known fantasy races, others choose to create their own race. If you have chosen this option, but are struggling and wondering where to begin, here is how to create a well developed fantasy race.
Steps
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Write down the common physical traits of your race. Do they commonly have bright green skin or hazel eyes? Are there reasons behind these physical traits? Be creative. This is your race and your creation, so you have complete control - maybe add on a tail or extra arms if that is what you want. There are no limits to what you could create!
- Choose a theme: Is your race an elegant, peaceful race, or are they brutal monsters?
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Describe the beliefs of your race. This doesn't have to be religious beliefs. Do they have free or strict gender roles? Do they believe their rulers are the descendant of some divine being? The things they believe in will greatly shape the mentality of the race. There's no such thing as an entire race being all evil or all good. You can however make it so that another species believes they are all evil because of certain events in the past which created this stereotype.Advertisement
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Identify the race's strong and weak attributes. Are they exceptional fighters? Can they use certain types of magic? Are they always bad tempered, etc.? How can they be killed? This is essential to identify, especially if your race will be at war with another race at any point in your story.
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Identify other races. Does your race have any close relatives? Was there interbreeding that caused a mixture of races? Is one race descended from another?
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Explain the history of the race. How did they come to be as they are? Were there any defining aspects of their history that have shaped the way they are now?
- Build a culture for your race. How did they make their weapons? What do their homes look like? What did they do for entertainment?
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Tips
- Have fun using your imagination - remember, you choose to write and create so you should enjoy it.Thanks
- If you get stumped, search the web, read fantasy books, research fantasy games or any other resources to provide you with inspiration.Thanks
- There is no right/wrong or allowed/prohibited ideas or scenarios - what you decide is your character is completely fine.Thanks
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